Development of a multiphysical multidimensional modeling of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract

In this paper, a multiphysical multidimensional proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) model is presented. The model covers fluidic domain with 2-dimensional modeling. Firstly, the meshes of fluid channels are presented by fully considering the flow field form. Then, the gas pressure drop due to sharp and curved U-bends (channel angles) are developed considering three losses factors: straight pipeline, the bend elongated section and excess losses coefficients. The proposed model simulation results are then compared with a Ballard 1.2 kW NEXA fuel cell system, and show a good agreement between the simulation and experimentation. In addition, the proposed multidimensional model also provides the reactant pressure 2D distribution in both cathode and anode sides.